Are you worried about the news that ABC is developing a 'Skating With the Stars' reality series? Sure, the timing seems right, now that audiences seem to be tiring of 'Dancing With the Stars.' But the idea's been tried once before, without much success (remember Fox's 2006 series 'Skating With Celebrities'? Didn't think so). And it's harder to find stars who can ice skate than stars who can dance; after all, there are only so many Canadian-born actors in Hollywood.
So perhaps we should help the networks by coming up with ideas for some safer, easier, yet still watchable "____ With the Stars" series. Here are some suggestions:
• Pillow-Fighting With the Stars: Sure, rather less exciting than watching stars fall down on the ice, but much easier for the networks to get liability insurance. Plus, who wouldn't want to see their favorite stars covered in feathers from a burst pillow?
• Boxing With the Stars: At last, stars like Sean Penn, Alec Baldwin and Russell Crowe can put their off-screen punching skills to good use inside the ring.
• Tax Prep With the Stars: This springtime series, culminating in a live race to the post office on April 15, will not be as lacking in drama as it sounds. Instead of elimination, stars who run afoul of the IRS will get audited (watch out, Wesley Snipes and Willie Nelson!) It won't be pretty, folks. But it will be educational, for the stars as well as viewers, as celebrities learn that you can't deduct the paychecks of your personal chef or aromatherapist as business expenses. (But the gal you pay to write your Twitter feed for you? Perfectly legit.)
• 'Wipeout' With the Stars: Seeing ordinary people fall into giant mud puddles ... meh. But seeing Nicole Kidman and Renée Zellweger do it in couture gowns? Sweet!
• Grocery Shopping With the Stars: There's no competitive aspect to this show, but wouldn't you be fascinated to see which items celebrities place in their shopping carts? Wouldn't you be relieved (or appalled) to discover that, say, '90210''s Shenae Grimes loves Mallomars as much as you do? Or that she even eats at all?
• Guitar Hero With the Stars: C'mon, this would just be flat-out awesome.

Reader Comments (3)
mjkbk at 1:55PM on Oct 19th 2009
Hey, I know! How about "Insipid News Writing With the Stars" in which celebrities compete to see who can best imitate the schlock that passes for journalism these days. Like this column.
Preston at 2:01AM on Oct 20th 2009
Doesn't ABC understand that the skating thing with celebrities was already done with? And with disastrous ratings results for Fox? I think people are tiring of celebrities competing in reality show competitions. Those celebrities better off doing their acting in movies or TV or recording music. Or those fading D-list celebrities need to get their butt out there and get on their own scripted comedies or dramas for a comeback.
Sean at 3:20PM on Oct 19th 2009
I don't care anymore. Networks used to have great programs but watching people get judged (stars or not) is not entertainment.